Jeff was a great friend of many connected with Wythall Cricket club, and his input over the past 20 plus years has been immense.

Our thoughts go out to Jeff's family, he will be greatly missed by all concerned.

Played at Wythall 19th May 2008

Team

F. Burns (CAPT)

B. Rush  (WKT)

J. Wyles

M. Cowley

J. Spragg

S. Braddock

C. Durrant

B. Wigley

C. Heath

          Wythall U13s struggled to get 9 players on the field for this game, and with the team bulked out with 11 and 12 year olds, Wythall were behind the eight ball from the off.

Having won the toss the Wythall Captain put the guests into bat, on a fine but chilly evening. Good opening spells from Wyles and Burns kept the score down, also some good fielding helped but the 9 players were unable to plug the gaps. Earlswood amassed a score of 126 off their 20 overs, with Josh Spragg the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 12 off 3, and assisted with 0 for 16 off 4 from Braddock who unusually didn’t take a wicket, 1 for 24 off 4 from Wyles and Cowley 1 for 26 from 4, the latter pair being punished for a couple of loose deliveries late on in the innings.

         The Earlswood Bowlers especially the openers proved too strong for Wythall and the scoreboard was kept relatively static except the wickets column which climbed steadily. Wyles was unfortunate to be caught first ball with a fine catch off an equally fine cover drive which most other occasions would have flown to the boundary for 4. Cowley top scored with 6 and although Wythall hung around for 15 or so overs, on 39 the innings came to an end with extras scoring 19, (note to Andy:  get extra’s phone number as we need him). Wythall lost by 87 runs which given the experience of the majority of our players was probably to be expected.

          A thank you to Mr. Jacques (BFG) for giving up his evening to umpire both ends for the duration of the match.

Team

G. King (Captain)

J. Tracey

R. Metters

R. Tipper

K. Griffiths

J. Wyles

T. Levitt

A. Moss

M. Herlihy

          Yet again, both teams struggled to get players on the field. Wythall had 9 players while Astwood Bank ‘B’ had just 8 players. The toss was won by Astwood Bank ‘B’, who decided to field first. The weather was slightly cloudy, but warm.

          Wythall got off to a quick start, with openers King and Tracey scoring quickly. The run rate climbed steadily, before peaking at around 9 per over. The pair put on 117 for the first wicket in 15 overs before Tracey was victim of a calamitous run out for 47. Metters came in for a quick 7, before being bowled at the start of the final over. Tipper looked in good touch, hitting consecutive 4’s. He finished on 9 not out and King finished 46 not out. Wythall 141-2 (18 overs).

          Metters and Tipper opened the bowling, both bowled 2 tight overs, Metters finishing 2-5, Tipper 0-8. Herlihy and Griffiths were the replacements. Again, both bowled fairly tightly. Herlihy, the pick of the bowlers, was rewarded for his good line and length. taking 2-11 from 3, while Griffiths was unlucky not to get a wicket, finishing 0-7. A good run out, with Herlihy and Moss combining well, left Astwood Bank 38-5 off 9. Levitt and Wyles came on next. Levitt bowled well (0-10 off 3), and, though unlucky with wides, Wyles bowled well in between taking 1-21 off 3. King and Tracey came on to finish the innings off. Astwood Bank’s last pair looked in good touch, hanging around for 6 overs, before finally succumbing in the final over, Griffiths taking the catch off King’s bowling, who finished 1-2 off 1.2; Tracey went for 10 off 1. Astwood Bank ‘B’ 84 all out (17.2 overs)

A good team performance saw Wythall end the victors by 57 runs.

Roving reporter George King (AKA D Perks)

Can anyone who has an evening free, especially Thursdays and Fridays and can lend a hand on the ground please contact Des or Colin, as they would appreciate the help and support of the other members of the club.

Thankyou!